October, 2021 - LIT TIME TRAVEL

Posted on October 18, 2021July 4, 2025 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

Honey & Butter Macarons: Where Macarons Are Pieces of Art

A Special Occasion

Last Saturday on October 16th, Honey & Butter released macarons in collaboration with LINE FRIENDS (characters popular in Asia). According to their website, they will continue to release these special macarons for two more dates, on October 23rd & 30th. As I expected there to be much competition, I set out at 9AM, an hour before the store opened.

Honey & Butter Macarons is located in the city of Irvine, in a shopping center called Irvine Spectrum Center. This center deserves a post of its own, with its unique architecture and a plethora of good shops. 👍

As the center itself also opens everyday at 10AM, there was nobody there when I arrived.

Usually, there is always a bustling crowd at the shopping mall.
But not at 9AM in the morning!

Or so I thought.

Once I walked in deeper inside, I saw some residents living around the Spectrum Center walking their dogs and meeting their friends. But still, these were people who lived in the area; they weren’t headed towards the macaron shop. So I quelled my concerns and walked on to Honey & Butter.

A rare sight to behold at Irvine Spectrum Center.

And then I saw:

It was only 9:30 AM, and yet, there was a line already!

I thought I’d be the first or at least the third person in line for Honey & Butter Macaron’s exquisite macarons. But in reality, I turned out to be the 30th! 😳

Though I was disappointed to join the long line, I was still one of the first 100 customers who would get free stickers of the Honey & Butter Macarons X LINE FRIENDS collaboration. Hence, I was content to wait behind 29 fellow zealots of cute & aesthetic macarons.

The Wait

I waited for about an hour before it was my turn to order. While waiting, there were many passersby wondering at the long line so early in the morning. They stared and muttered while Honey & Butter Macarons employees took promotional pictures and videos of eager customers like me. It was tiring to wait, but all the hype and anticipation was fun to witness, as well as the satisfied customers coming out of the store with bagfuls of macarons.

*Plus, a Honey & Butter associate handed out flavor guides & wristbands to everyone waiting in line. The wristband system is their new way of preventing unfair purchases of creature (special character) macarons, which are limited in quantity.

*If you plan on visiting Honey & Butter Macarons to purchase creature macarons, check out their wristband policy HERE!

Finally!!!

When I finally got close enough to the store, I was able to see the cute decal stickers pasted on the clear glass windows. People (including myself) were busy taking photos of them while in turn being photographed by Honey & Butter associates.

When I stepped inside the store (at last!!!) the interior was as aesthetic as it could be, with puffy clouds hanging from above and photo booths in front of walls of plants and flowers. (Even a 🕷 for a touch of Halloween!)

Aesthetic photo booths set inside the Honey & Butter Macarons store.

The counter inside Honey & Butter Macarons decorated with LINE FRIENDS plushies beside a box of LINE FRIENDS X Honey & Butter Macarons pins.

Framed sign inside Honey & Butter Macarons showing the price for classic and creature macarons.

Plus there was the LINE FRIENDS X Honey & Butter Macarons wall, which was too cute not to share here:

They were selling their regular, non-character macarons for $3 each, and character macarons for $5 and $7 dollars each. It’s really expensive… It’s more expensive than a burger or a Chick-fil-A sandwich! 😫 But considering the amount of effort and artistry put into these macarons, I think it was worth it.

Here is a video of the macarons sold at Honey & Butter Macarons last weekend:

Close up of the creature (character) macarons! 🐻🎀🐰🐥🐸

I purchased regular macarons, creature macarons along with two pins (limited editions of Honey & Butter X LINE FRIENDS). I also got free stickers for being one of the first 100 customers and a postcard, too. And before heading out of the shop, the employees helped me take photos in front of the aesthetic photo booths. It was so much fun! 😁

When I stepped out of the cute macaron shop, it was 11:12 PM. And yet, there was a line still in front of Honey & Butter Macarons, as shown in the video above.

I spent an entire morning from 9AM preparing and waiting for this event. Plus, I spent way too much on the macarons. But it was a memorable day, with such artistic, charming little pastries for me and my family. It was worth the money and the wait!

I had to display the artsy macarons in the middle of my living room in all its beauty for my family to see. Aren’t they just…Adorable pieces of art? 😍💕💕

About Honey & Butter

From my knowledge (and online research), Honey & Butter Macarons was founded back in 2014 by Leanne and her husband Pawel Pietrasinski. Leanne was born in Vietnam and Pawel was born in Poland, and the couple met via a MMORPG game, Neverwinter Online. Sharing the same dream and passion, they created their own bakery. To read more about their unique story and journey, check out these links:

💜 The Vine Irvine City News 💜 Daily Pilot 💜 VoyageLA

Visit their Instagram account to see some of the macarons they’ve made in the past! They’ve made characters from Disney’s Frozen, Mean Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Snoopy. Not to mention their Sailor Moon, One Piece, Naruto and BTS macarons! They all look incredible! 😍

I highly recommend Honey & Butter Macarons if you love aesthetic/cute things or French pastries, specifically macarons. If you are planning to purchase creature macarons though, be aware that they don’t have those everyday. I think they used to, but nowadays they are available only on special occasions like this or on days noted on their website.

P.S. Check out their official website here: https://www.honeynbutter.com/

To visit Leanne’s website use this link 👉 http://www.leannecake.cloud/ 💕

P.P.S. Follow their Instagram! Honey & Butter sometimes announces character macaron drops in their stories. They’re up for grabs till supplies last. Here are the ones that were released around noon on 5/27/2022:

They were as aesthetic and delicious as ever! 😉

(These macarons were wrapped in seriously cute packaging illustrated by kiraimai! 💕Visit the Japanese illustrator’s official website for more: https://www.kiraimai.com/)

Posted on October 14, 2021July 20, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

Irvine French Baking Class #1: Lemon Tart

On a crisp October morning, I went to attend a French baking class in Irvine that I had signed up for a few weeks back. To tell the truth, my very first dream was becoming a patisserie. Of course, back when I was little, I had no idea that such a word existed. So I told everyone – my family, relatives, and friends – that I wanted to own a bakery to decorate cakes. I thought it was the same thing as a “patisserie.” But I didn’t become a “bakery owner,” and my dreams shifted around multiple times.

But today, I finally got to revisit my very first dream and bake a lemon tart at the Irvine French baking class! 🍋🥧

Making a Lemon Tart – The Beginning

The materials all being provided for (with a fee of $10), my fellow classmates and I simply had to follow instructions given by our French instructor, Sylvie Roux. She was efficient and friendly, giving us professional tips and knowledge on the details of making a good lemon tart.

Everyone received a ceramic pie holder/mold to create their lemon tarts on, and each holder was named with a French word. Mine was “Montmartre,” the famous hill in Paris. Others got “Paris,” “France,” “Merci,” “Bisou,” and other beautiful French words.

Lemon Zest

So the first thing we had to do was create lemon zest. The 11-12 of us got into groups of two to create the lemon zest under the guidance of 3 French instructors. Some people were given zesters and others graters.

I was the only person to receive a knife to cut the lemon peels as supplies were low. If I had been better acquainted with knives, I wouldn’t have had a problem. But as I was only a baker by heart, not by hands or actual skills, I cut myself. (It was so embarrassing!) The cut wasn’t deep so I tried to hide it away, but my caring class mates and teachers got me a band aid.

It had only been 10 minutes into the cooking class and I already hurt myself! 😖

Lemons used for creating the lemon zest and juice! 🍋 🍋 🍋

I thought that I was the only person to cut the lemon with a knife (and cut oneself with it), but others were also given knives later on to cut the lemons. Luckily, no other baker was injured, and we successfully made 200g of lemon juice and piles of lemon zest.

The Sugar Dough

After producing the lemon juice and zests, our next step was to create the sugar dough. In large groups of about 5 to 6 people, we took turns mixing butter, powder sugar, lemon zest, almond powder, egg, yolk, vanilla extract, and flour.

Mixing the ingredients altogether.

After about 40 minutes, we got a gritty dough to work with.

Each of us had our little batch of gritty dough (sugar + butter). As instructed, we covered them up with plastic wrap, left them in the fridge for 30 minutes to get:

The Lemon Cream

The lemon cream was created before the sugar dough. Our French instructors were very efficient with time, so we worked on the lemon cream while waiting for the sugar doughs in the fridge. Similar to how we produced the dough, groups of 5-6 took turns heating the lemon juice and mixed it with sugar, zest, 6 eggs, agar agar, and cold butter.

Mixing ’em up.

It’s Baking Time

After creating the lemon cream, we took out our doughs, rolled them on the sheets and put them in our molds.

While our doughs baked in the oven at 370°F for 15 minutes, our French instructor introduced us to making meringues. It was surprisingly easy: you mix egg whites and sugar together at high speed:

The Finishing Touch

Once the doughs were taken out (and cut out of the molds by our instructors), we all poured lemon cream into what had become crusts. And with the meringue our instructor created, we each took turns decorating our lemon tarts.

Mine looked as follows:

Lemon Tart & Dreams

The lemon tart was délicieuse! The sweet and sour complemented each other so well. But I think I can definitely do better next time, especially with the decoration..

The French baking class led by Slyvie Roux was such a treat – a fun experience where I got to reconnect with my younger self who wanted to create pastries and “own a bakery.”

Though I most likely won’t become a patisserie at this point, I can and will bake more pastries. And hopefully create better-looking lemon tarts. 😉

To learn more about the Irvine French baking class, check out these links:

Instagram Account of French Cooking OC by Sylvie Roux – https://www.instagram.com/frenchcookingoc/?hl=en

Official City of Irvine website where you can sign up for the classes –https://www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-fine-arts-center/adult-classes

P.S. I attended the Irvine French baking class again to learn how to bake apple pie and tarte tatin. Check out the post HERE.

*Update: A couple of weeks after the class, I tried to bake the lemon tart by myself at home, and it turned out great!

My lemon tart (feat. strawberries & blackberries instead of meringue)

And it was délicieuse! 😁

Posted on October 13, 2021July 19, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

Bella Grace: Epitome of a Beautiful Magazine

Last week, when it drizzled in the ever-sunny city of my residence, I stopped by at a Barnes & Noble bookstore. For the past few years, I’ve been on-and-off writing my first novel, and I wanted to research the tone and style of recently published books.

As is always the case whenever I’m in bookstores, I was tempted to make a purchase. But reminding myself that I already have piles of novels and stories to read at home, I resisted all temptation to purchase another book. (Plus, after the pandemic, the libraries will reopen.) But when passing by the magazine racks next to the cashier, I had to stop and purchase Bella Grace‘s Issue 29. It was just too aesthetic!

Bella Grace Magazine

The front and back covers of *Bella Grace.*

The magazine was extremely costly; compared to an interior design magazine my mother purchased recently ($12.99), Bella Grace was a $19.99. It’s the most expensive magazine I’ve ever purchased!

But the content of the magazine is heartfelt and wholesome. It’s created and compiled by romanticists, optimists, and those who believe in the following:

“an ordinary life can be extraordinary, there is beauty in imperfection, and that magic can be found in the everyday.”
Bella Gracec

And their collection of writings and photographs truly reflect such beliefs and attitude toward life.

Some pages from the 29th issue of *Bella Grace.*

Submissions

And Bella Grace is looking for submissions! They’re looking for narratives, photography, lists, and Instagram collections from writers and photographers who share their beliefs.

“At Bella Grace, [they] believe that:

Every cloud has a silver lining.

An ordinary life can be an extraordinary life.

There is beauty and magic to be found everywhere.

It’s OK to embrace imperfection.

Life should be lived with a full heart and open eyes.”

As I share these beliefs, I submitted photographs and a poem to the editor a few days ago. I’m really happy to have found a magazine that shares some of my beliefs as well as aesthetics! ✨

If you are a writer or photographer, especially a romantic or an optimistic one, I highly encourage you to read Bella Grace. And even take part in their movement to share life’s beauties!

P.S. To visit Bella Grace’s official website, click HERE.

P.P.S. For submission guidelines, check out this link: https://bellagracemagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

Posted on October 7, 2021July 20, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

Cafe Lola Summerlin: An Aesthetic Café by Red Rock Canyon

This summer, I had a chance to visit Las Vegas with my family. But as we are in the midst of a pandemic, we chose to explore the outdoors around the city instead of lingering in the populous hub. As we had already visited Death Valley, Grand Canyon, and Sedona, we decided to explore Red Rock Canyon this time.

On our way to Red Rock Canyon. It was unusually cloudy and windy. It eventually rained when we arrived at the visitor’s center.

On our way to Red Rock Canyon, I proposed that we stop by a café to pick up lattes and whatnot. It was June but cloudy and chill; which means it was perfect to sip some warm drinks on the way. Besides, I had researched online and found out that there was an aesthetic café in the area. And I am all for anything aesthetic, especially cafes.

When we arrived in front of the cafe, the exterior was neat but nothing noteworthy. And as the sky was cloudy with rain starting to trickle, it almost looked gloomy.

But when my sister and I went inside, it was a feast for the eyes!

The interior was so pretty that I stood there gawking it all in. I had to collect myself before moving forward to the cashier to order. My eyes feasted further on the chic decorations set up all throughout the cafe.

I ordered Lola’s Signature Vanilla Rose Tea Latte (plus three macarons) while my sister got the Americano. The drinks weren’t bad, but they weren’t stellar either. I wouldn’t drive all the way here again for the drinks. But I definitely would for the beautiful interior!

The pink folder in the back is the menu.
The pink drink is Lola’s Signature Vanilla Rose Tea Latte.
The small pink cup with a rose is a decoration set on each table. ❤️

I highly recommend Cafe Lola to anyone who loves visiting aesthetic places. The interior, decorations, drinks, food, and everything inside the cafe were too pretty to not take photos of. If you’re ever visiting Red Rock Canyon, or Las Vegas even, stop by Cafe Lola! 😉

*NOTE: The location I’ve been to is the Cafe Lola in Summerlin. There’s another Cafe Lola in the Henderson area. They’re both in Nevada but the Summerlin one is next to Red Rock Canyon.

**UPDATE 7/19/22: Cafe Lola opened another shop at 7379 S Rainbow Blvd – in Southwest Las Vegas! Check out their IG post for all the deets!

Visit Cafe Lola’s official website here 👉 Café Lola

P.S. Check out my post on their Henderson location HERE. It’s as aesthetic as the Summerlin location! ✨

Posted on October 7, 2021July 19, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

Raccoon in the Hood 🦝

Surprised raccoon staring down from pine tree.

The town I live in abounds with animals of all kinds. We have squirrels, rabbits, lizards, rats, doves, ducks, crows, parrots, coyotes, and even mountain lions roaming about. But I had no idea that I would come face to face with a raccoon!

Encountering My Neighbor, Raccoon

One evening, after a walk in the park, I was coming back home with my mother. We were chatting about something I don’t recall when we heard a loud “thump” near a pine tree that grows right in front of our house. For a moment we both thought it was one of the squirrels. But the thump was too loud for an animal that small.

Then, we saw a black shadow scampering back up from where it fell. And to our utter surprise, we saw a raccoon staring down at us!

It was bizarre to see a raccoon for the first time in my life. It looked exactly like it does in movies and cartoons, with its bandit-like fur around its eyes and fluffy black-and-white tail.

We were astounded to see the creature in front of our house and stood in shock for a few seconds. Then we pulled out our phones to capture the cute yet frightening wild animal.

While taking pictures of the raccoon, we noticed that it was as surprised as we were. It was still on the tree branch, looking down at us with, I conjecture, even more amazement and fear. Here is a comic strip I made recounting my encounter with the raccoon:

As we did not know what our wild neighbor might be capable of, we carefully headed inside, staying as far away from him. And as we slithered away, the raccoon also slowly crawled down from the tree and disappeared into the night.

Photo of the actual raccoon we saw that night!

It was an interesting night to say the least! I feel lucky to have met my neighbor raccoon that I did not know existed until that night.

Who are some of your wild neighbors?

P.S. Here are some resources about what to do when you encounter raccoons:

The Humane Society of the United States

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

LA Animal Services

City of Sacramento

Posted on October 4, 2021August 28, 2025 by The Time Traveler — 12 Comments

Chung Sul Youn Kim – Life of a Pioneer

Photo of Chung Sul Youn Kim and her mother at University of Illinois's Commencement.

It’s past Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but I would still like to share Chung Sul Youn’s story. It is not as well known as it ought to be, especially considering the fact that she was a pioneer in many different ways. As one of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S., she paved the way for Koreans, Asians, women, and scientists.

Chung Sul Youn (Sue Kim)

I learned about Chung Sul Youn only after talking to a Korean War veteran I wrote to this summer. The Korean War veteran, Mr. David Valley, shared the many achievements of his wife, Chung Sul. He and Sue (Chung Sul) had met and married after losing their wife and husband, respectively, to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

After learning about Chung Sul’s life briefly from Mr. Valley, I was able to order his biography of her, which is titled, Can Do: Biography of Chung Sul Youn Kim. And finishing the book, I feel like I’ve unearthed an invaluable story, a little known history that needs to be shared.

Let me share Chung Sul’s story with you.

Chung Sul’s story shines. Photo by Nong V.

Early Years

Photo of Chung Sul Youn, age 7.
From *Can Do:* *Biography of Chung Sul*
*Youn Kim* by David J. Valley.

Chung Sul Youn was born in Korea on December 21, 1932. She grew up in the Korea annexed and oppressed by the Japanese Imperial government. It wasn’t until 1945 that Chung Sul and her family lived in a free Korea. Despite the harsh colonial rule, Chung Sul’s family wasn’t as affected by the Japanese government’s immoral actions as the other poor Korean families. Her father, In Sang Youn, ran a successful, independent business manufacturing ondol paper, so he was able to educate his children and provide for his family even in those difficult times. Hence, after Korea attained its independence from Japan, Chung Sul attended Seoul National University, which is still considered the best in South Korea.

The Korean War

Tragically for the Koreans, only five years after their liberation from Japan, the Korean War broke out. On June 25, 1950, communist North Korea (backed by the Soviet Union) attacked South Korea. The sudden, bloody invasion interrupted everyone’s lives. People scrambled southward to stay alive, leaving behind their homes and the lives they knew. Chung Sul and her family also evacuated away from Seoul, eventually escaping to Busan when the Chinese intervened and ruined Korea’s golden opportunity to unify under democracy.

Video created by the Australian Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs
showing the phases of the Korean War. Click HERE to visit the page.
*The naming of “Sea of Japan” shown in the video is contested.

It was during this chaos that Chung Sul’s father decided to send his children to the United States to further their education. He knew from early on that Chung Sul was an exceptional chemist and scholar. He believed that she would “become a world-famous scientist – the next Madame Curie.” (Valley 115).

Marie Curie, one of the most renowned
female scientists in history. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ggbain-07682 (digital file from original neg.)

Studying in the U.S.

After applying and getting accepted by Dennison University with a tuition scholarship, Chung Sul left her home country in 1951 to further her studies. From there, she transferred to the University of Illinois in Urbana to study chemical engineering.

A professor at University of Illinois told her that she could not be a Chemical Engineering major. His reason was the following: “females cannot handle the courses…The last time [they] had a female [major in Chemical Engineering] was in 1932, and she failed miserably” (Valley 140). These were times when women weren’t seen as capable of studying science.

But she proved the professor and anyone who doubted that they were completely wrong.

Chung Sul at Commencement 1955
with her mother Yong Kim, University of Illinois
President Lloyd Morey and Liberal
Arts & Sciences Dean Joseph R. Smiley
(Source: *Mass Transfer*: *News from Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Illinois.* Spring/Summer 2017)

Chung Sul graduated with the highest grade average, receiving multiple honors. She was even admitted as an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Pi Society for Integrity and Excellence in Engineering when women were not accepted as regular members. Chung Sul went on to earn a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Cornell University.

She became the first Korean woman in Korean history to earn a Ph.D. degree in the field of science.

Image from *Can Do:* *Biography of Chung Sul*
*Youn Kim* by David J. Valley.

Further Accomplishments

To summarize, Chung Sul (Sue) worked for many different corporations: Standard Oil of Ohio, Georgia Pacific, University of California Davis, Aerojet Corporation, and California State University, Sacramento. Throughout her professional journey, she faced (again) prejudice and skepticism as an Asian woman. She was told that she had “two strikes against [her]: [she was] an Asian, and a woman” (190).

But she defied all expectations as she…

“found a way to copolymerize acrylonitrile with bulky hydrocarbons, 1,2-olefins” at Sohio (187).
“discovered ligno-sulfonamides produced by the reaction of the waste pulp ligno-sulfonates and fatty amines from meat packers” were “excellent oil-based emulsifies” and helped Georgia Pacific receive five patents based on her discoveries (194).
“established the Polymer Research Institute” at California State University, Sacramento.

….and achieved many more things that you should read about in her biography! 😉

An Inspiring Individual

What I found particularly inspiring about Chung Sul Youn, Sue Kim, is that not only is she an incredible chemist who made positive impacts wherever she went, but also she always knew what was truly important in life: families and friends.

Upon marriage, she supported and followed her husband’s trajectory across the country all the while making contributions to society and science in various ways that she could. She made scientific discoveries while giving birth to and rearing two children. When her father fell ill, she left everything to be at his side. These are just a few examples of how Chung Sul chose her families and friends over furthering her achievements and success. She was a prolific chemist, a good friend, caring daughter, supportive wife, and a loving mother. Despite her unlimited potential and talents, she chose to be there for her loved ones over work when forced to choose between the two. She never forgot to love and care for her loved ones.

In Conclusion

Back in the day when being an Asian woman was a great hindrance to one’s career, Chung Sul broke all prejudices and expectations. She truly was a pioneer.

Mr. Valley’s biography of
Chung Sul Youn (Sue Kim)

I recommend Can Do: Biography of Chung Sul Youn Kim, to Korean and Asian Americans. If you are Korean or Asian, you will be able to relate to her life. She was one of the first Koreans to arrive in the U.S. and experienced what Asian Americans experience even today. If you are a woman studying chemistry or are working in the field, you will learn how she paved the path for female chemists in the ’60s and ’70s.

Even if you aren’t a female chemist of Asian backgrounds, Chung Sul’s story is bound to inspire. It is a vivid biography of an individual who saw beyond work and success.

It’s about an individual who knew what truly matters: the people around you and the time you spend with them.

P.S. I just found out that Dr. Chung Sul Youn “Sue” Kim had been awarded the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign! As the “first woman to have received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign” and as innovator, research scientist, professor, director, and pioneer, it’s no surprise. 👍

Update 8/28/2025: This month, I got to speak with Dr. Kim’s sister, Won Ok, who is 5 years younger than her. She told me that she wanted to share aspects of Dr. Kim beyond her academic and professional achievements, including her many outdoor adventures and her “most generous, compassionate” heart.

One of the anecdotes she shared that I was truly amazed at (and still am!) was when Won Ok immigrated to the U.S. during the Korean War, following after her sister. Chung Sul, who was an undergrad at the University of Illinois at the time, and Won Ok, who was a high school student, had to live apart. But Chung Sul always looked out for her little sister. Won Ok said that Chung Sul even cooked Korean food for her (bulgogi beef and rice) when there weren’t any local Asian grocery markets at the time! Even when the sisters lived apart (one in a college dorm in the middle of a busy schedule) and had no car (or Tupperware, for that matter!), Chung Sul managed to make traditional Korean food, pack it somehow, and bring it to her little sister who would have been homesick in a new country. This reminded me of what I read in Mr. Valley’s biography, when Chung Sul made kimchi (again, no Asian ingredients!) for her older brother. Won Ok laughed and said that the bulgogi and rice tasted horrible (and I remember reading that the kimchi tasted bad, too), but she shared how incredibly thoughtful and compassionate the gesture was. And I cannot agree more!

It was such a privilege to talk with Won Ok and listen to more inspiring stories about Dr. Kim. 😊

Posted on October 2, 2021July 19, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

EPIK Essay: Thoughts on Teaching & Encountering Cultural Differences

Empty classroom with the world map showing.

While applying to EPIK this year, I had to write personal statements on teaching as well as encountering cultural differences. Below are my teaching philosophy and thoughts on cultural differences (2 of the 3 EPIK essay prompts).

*But as EPIK essay prompts may change, be sure to always check their official website!

Prompt #1: My Teaching Philosophy (on TEFL)

*TEFL is “Teaching English as a Foreign Language.”

Students in rural north Thailand. Photo by Mario Heller.

Duties of the Student

Learning cannot be accomplished without the effort of the teacher as well as the students themselves. While teachers provide the necessary tools, tips, and methods of studying, this must be met with the efforts of the students to bring about results. The key to mastering a new language is repetition and memorization. So, students should memorize terms learned in class until they become so accustomed to the words that they can remember them in situations that require them. While students can practice memorizing by themselves, they can’t with conversations. Therefore, teachers should focus on conversations in the classroom, having the students practice amongst themselves and also providing materials with which they can practice listening.

Duties of the Teacher

It is the teacher’s duty to create a learning environment where students feel safe to make mistakes. The most important thing when learning a new language is to not feel bad about making mistakes. So, it is crucial for the teacher to make the class a friendly learning environment. It should not, cannot be a place of immediate mastery and perfection. Such pressure discourages students from answering questions; they become shy, unwilling to share with the class. This should be prevented, as participation plays a big part in students’ absorption and application of new materials. Students should be comfortable about making mistakes as well as asking questions when they do not understand a lesson.

Not Just a Subject

Most importantly, since English is a language, an everyday method used to communicate, EFL teachers should remind the students that while it is a subject to study, English is also something approachable in our daily lives. Showing the students that studying English doesn’t always require studying, that it can be fun in the forms of watching movies and shows in English, listening to pop songs, or even playing games using English will help the students have less burden, less repulse of studying another language and actually enjoy learning to speak the invaluable, universal language.

Prompt #2: On Encountering Cultural Differences

Encountering cultural differences in today’s world is inevitable as well as ubiquitous, as the world has become closely connected through the technological advancements of the past centuries. And more often than not, encountering something that is different from what one is accustomed to is unpleasant or weird. But cultural differences can be understood and respected if the cultures involved communicate and share the history and reasons behind their practices. (And if the cultures learn how and why their traditions can be viewed in different ways than they perceive them.) If cultures communicate and understand one another, then cultural differences won’t divide different peoples or lead to hatred and stereotypes.

This is why I want to teach English to South Korean students. So that they, too, can learn the language of the world to communicate with the rest of the world. That when they encounter different cultures, they may understand others as well as be understood. That they may become cosmopolitan individuals that share, work, and live with others around the world.

Advice to EPIK Applicants

Like how I did, you will need to answer the following EPIK essay prompts:

Answer both why you want to teach EFL AND why you want to teach in Korea.
Explain your teaching philosophy briefly. How will you connect your background skills and experiences to teaching English in your classroom? How do you plan to further develop your teaching skills?
Share your thoughts on encountering cultural differences. How do you plan to adapt to Korean school life and culture?

I hope my essay/personal statements give you some ideas and thoughts to write about. But I highly discourage plagiarizing or using my thoughts word-for-word since…

#1: The EPIK team already read my essays and know the contents.

#2: Plagiarism is against the law.

Good luck applying to EPIK!

P.S. To read about my EPIK experience, check out my post HERE.